Contents distributing method and contents distributing program

ABSTRACT

The purpose of the invention is to present advertisements properly to users. To realize this, a web server sends necessary related information which includes links for download, to a client machine, in accordance with a download request of the client machine. When the client machine requests start of download, by use of the link, the web server, in response to this, distributes designated predetermined contents and an advertisement supply server distributes predetermined advertisement contents. When there occurs an instruction of forced termination of distribution of advertisement contents by the advertisement supply server, from the client machine, the advertisement distributing server terminates distribution of advertisement contents and sends a forced termination flag which shows forced termination of distribution, to the web server. The web server, in response to reception of the flag, ceases distribution of contents.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] This invention relates to systems for distributing contents such as advertisements to client machines which are accessing to servers etc. through the Internet.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] Most contents on the Internet have banner advertisements thereon which are linked to HPs (home-pages) of sponsors. Users can view advertisement pages linked therefrom by clicking banner advertisements. Thus, it is possible to notify users of corporate advertisements and advertisements of new products.

[0005] Many sites have sponsors posted advertisement banners thereon, and collect advertising rate therefor, and use it as working money for the sites. However, in these years, clicking rate of banner advertisements is getting extremely small, and from sponsor view point, attractiveness as to posting advertisements on the sites is getting small. Further, since the number of posting advertisement banners is decreased, there are not a few cases in which sites themselves are not workable.

[0006] On the other hand, by popularization of xDSL and optical fibers, download of large capacity files is possible. Also, streaming reproduction of motion pictures is possible.

[0007] An object of this invention is to provide a data communication system which can present advertisements properly to users and which is attractive to sponsors and site administrators.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The object of the invention is accomplished by a distributing method for downloading contents to a client machine which is connected to a network, in a system in which a web server for downloading contents to the client machine of a user and an advertisement supply server for distributing advertisement contents are connected through the network, characterized by comprising, in the web server, a step of sending necessary related information including links for download with regard to the client machine, in accordance with a download request of the client machine, in the client machine, a step of requesting start of download, by use of a link which is contained in the related information, in the web server, a step of distributing designated predetermined contents to the client machine, in response to the download start request, in the advertisement supply server, a step of distributing predetermined advertisement contents, in response to the download start request, in order to have them reproduced in the client machine, a step of terminating distribution of advertisement contents to the client machine, in response to an instruction of forced termination of distribution of advertisement contents by the advertisement supply server, from the client machine and of sending a first forced termination flag which shows forced termination of distribution of the advertisement contents to the web server, and, in the web server, a step of ceasing distribution of contents, in response to reception of the first forced termination flag.

[0009] According to the invention, during download of contents, advertisement contents can be reproduced on a screen of a display apparatus of the client machine by for example, streaming reproduction, from the advertisement supply server. Further, in case that distribution of advertisement contents is forcibly terminated, distribution of contents is terminated herewith. Accordingly, it becomes possible to present advertisement contents to users. Since users simply view reproduced advertisement contents during download, there occurs no disadvantage from time and charge view points to users. Further, since advertisement contents are surely presented to users, it becomes possible to grasp properly the number of distribution of advertisement contents.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, in the web server, the distributing method further comprises a step of terminating distribution of contents to the client machine, in response to an instruction of forced termination of contents distribution by the web server, from the client machine and of sending a second forced termination flag which shows forced termination of distribution of the contents to the advertisement supply server, and in the advertisement supply server, a step of ceasing distribution of advertisement contents, in response to reception of the second forced termination flag.

[0011] In a more preferred embodiment, the distributing method further comprises, in the advertisement supply server, a step of increasing a count value which shows the number of distribution of advertisement contents, on the occasion of distribution of corresponding advertisement contents, and a step of decreasing the count value, in response to reception of forced termination of distribution of the advertisement contents, or reception of the second forced termination flag. Thus, only in case that advertisement contents are properly distributed, it becomes possible to increase the count which shows the number of distribution.

[0012] In another preferred embodiment, the distributing method further comprises, in the web server, a step of sending a distribution completion flag which shows distribution completion of the contents to the advertisement supply server, in the advertisement supply server, a step of detecting accession of the distribution completion flag, when distribution of a certain advertisement contents is completed, and a step of sending the same or other advertisement contents to the client machine, in case that the distribution completion flag is not reached. Thus, for example, on the occasion of download of large capacity contents, it becomes possible to distribute a plurality of advertisement contents, sequentially.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment, the step of sending the related information contains a step of sending information which designates a plurality of linked addresses, and the distributing method further comprises, in the client machine, a step of requesting start of download to the web server and requesting distribution of advertisement contents to the advertisement supply server. For example, this can be realized by use of extension links of XML.

[0014] Alternatively, the distributing method may comprise, in the web server, a step of requesting distribution of advertisement contents to the client machine, to the advertisement supply server, in response to the request of download start from the corresponding client machine.

[0015] Further, the object of the invention is also accomplished by a distributing program for activating a web server, in order to download contents to a client machine which is connected to a network, in a system in which a web server for downloading contents to the client machine of a user and an advertisement supply server for distributing advertisement contents are connected through the network, characterized in that the distributing program has the web server executed a step of sending necessary related information including links for download with regard to the client machine, in accordance with a download request of the client machine, a step of receiving a request of download start by use of a link which is contained in the related information, from the client machine, a step of sending designated predetermined contents to the client machine, in response to the request of download start, and a step of ceasing distribution of contents, in response to reception of a first forced termination flag, in case that the advertisement supply server receives the first forced termination flag which shows forced termination of the advertisement contents, responding to an instruction of forced termination of distribution of advertisement contents from the client machine, in the advertisement supply server which distributes advertisement contents to the client machine with sending contents by the web server.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment, the distributing program has the web server further executed a step of terminating distribution of contents to the client machine, in response to an instruction of forced termination of distribution of contents by the web server, from the client machine and sending a second forced termination flag which shows forced termination of distribution of the contents, to the advertisement supply server.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The invention, together with further advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0018]FIG. 1 is a block diagram which shows an outline of a data communication system according to the invention;

[0019]FIG. 2A is a block diagram which shows a structure of a web server according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0020]FIG. 2B is a block diagram which shows an advertisement feeding server according to the embodiment;

[0021]FIG. 3 is a flow chart which shows a flow from a download request from a client machine to start of contents distribution in the embodiment;

[0022]FIG. 4 is a flow chart which shows distribution of contents to be downloaded and advertising contents and normal completion in the embodiment;

[0023]FIG. 5 is a flow chart which shows a processing that occurs due to a forced termination of download in the embodiment;

[0024]FIG. 6 is a flow chart which shows a processing that occurs due to a forced termination of advertisement distribution in the embodiment;

[0025]FIGS. 7A and 7B are views which show examples of windows displayed on a screen of a display apparatus of the client machine, respectively in the embodiment;

[0026]FIGS. 8A and 8B are views which show examples of windows displayed on a screen of a display apparatus of the client machine, respectively in the embodiment; and

[0027]FIG. 9 is a flow chart which shows a flow from a download request from the client machine to start of contents distribution in another embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0028] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram which shows an outline of a data communication system according to the invention. As shown in FIG. 1, in the embodiment, a client machine 14 is connected to the Internet 12. Further, connected to the Internet 12 are a contents server (in this specification, referred to as “web server”) 16 which supplies necessary contents in response to a request from the client machine 14 and an advertisement supply server 18 which supplies advertisement contents to the client machine 14 in response to an instruction from for example, the web server 16.

[0029] A general personal computer can be used as the client machine 14, and it has a browser and a multimedia player for viewing contents through the Internet 12. In the embodiment, a browser and a multimedia player (for example, a real player(TM), a windows(TM) media player) now available in the market can be used. In the embodiment, explained will be a case in which contents are viewed by use of the browser but it is needless to say that similar processing may be carried out in case of using the multimedia player.

[0030]FIG. 2A is a block diagram which shows a structure of the web server 16 according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2A, the web server 16 has a communication interface (1/F) 22 which controls communication through the Internet 12, a command processing part 24 which receives a command which is given through the Internet from for example, the client machine 14 and carries out necessary processing, a contents generating part 26 for download command which generates, for example, a menu page, in response to an access from the client machine 14, a contents distributing part 28 which carries out necessary processing for distributing contents to the client machine 14, a download contents DB (database) 30 which stores contents, and a forced termination processing part 32 which carries out necessary processing for forcibly terminating download at the instruction from for example, the client machine 14. In the embodiment, motion pictures, music and still pictures can be distributed from the web server 16 to the client machine 14.

[0031]FIG. 2B is a block diagram which shows a structure of an advertisement distributing server 18 according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2B, the advertisement distributing server 18 has a communication interface (1/F) 34 which controls communication through the Internet 12, a command processing part 36 which receives a command which is given through the Internet from for example, the client machine 14 and carries out necessary processing for distributing advertisements, a advertisement distributing part 38 which carries out processing for distributing advertisement contents to the client machine 14, an advertisement DB 40 which stores advertisement contents, and a forced termination processing part 42 which carries out necessary processing on the occasion of forcibly terminating distribution of advertisements at the instruction from for example, the client machine 14. In the embodiment, advertisement contents may be a motion picture for a given length of time such as TVCF and one like so-called GIF motion picture. However, in the embodiment, since the number of distribution is counted and stored and based upon this, accounting is carried out to sponsors, it is preferable that advertisement contents may be one which is reproduced simply for the same period of time.

[0032] Hereinafter, data communication procedure by use of the servers configured as above will be described. Basically, in a system according to the embodiment, download of contents is requested from a client machine to the web server 16 (see, symbol (i) of FIG. 1), and an instruction of download start is sent to the web server 16 and the advertisement distributing server 18 (see, symbols (i) and (ii) of FIG. 1), and download of contents and distribution of advertisement during downloaded are carried out (see, symbol (iii) of FIG. 1). In case of termination of download and forced termination, data communication is carried out between the web server 16 and the advertisement distributing server 18 (see, symbol (iii′)). These processing, hereinafter, will be explained in detail.

[0033]FIG. 3 is a flow chart which shows a flow from download request from a client machine to start of contents distribution. As shown in FIG. 3, under the circumstances that the client machine 14 and the web server 16 are in state of accessing to each other (see, step 300), in case that in the client machine 14, a user operates a key to, for example, designate desired contents from a download list displayed on the screen of the display apparatus (step 301), a download request is sent to the web server 16 (step 302). In the web server 16, the command processing part 24 responds to reception of the request, and activates the contents generating part 26 for download command. The contents generating part 26 for download command sends information relating to download, for example, information showing linked addresses for download contents to the client machine 14 (step 303).

[0034] For example, on the screen of the display apparatus of the client machine 14, a window as shown in FIG. 7A is displayed by the browser. Here, a user, in reference to the window 701, for example, designates save of a file and thereafter, turns on a “OK” button 702. Thus, as shown in FIG. 7B, displayed is a window 703 which includes an input column 704 for saving places of files. A structure of a window which a user can see is almost the same as in the past.

[0035] Then, in the client machine 14, a user operates the input apparatus and turns on a download start button (in FIG. 7B, “SAVE” button 705) (step 304) so that necessary command is sent out. In the embodiment, by use of extension links of XML, a plurality of linked addresses can be designated. Accordingly, the “SAVE” button, the web server 16 and the advertisement supply server 18 are connected with execution of a link designation file. Thus, by turning on the “SAVE” button (step 304), a download start request is sent to the web server 16 (step 305) and an advertisement reproduction request is sent to the advertisement supply server 18 (step 306).

[0036] The command processing part 24 of the web server 16, when it receives the download start request, activates the contents distributing part 28, and the contents distributing part 28 responds thereto and starts distributing download contents designated (steps 307 and 308). On the other hand, the command processing part 36 of the advertisement supply server 18, when it receives a request of reproducing an advertisement, activates the advertisement distributing part 38, and the advertisement distributing part 38 selects an advertisement to be distributed and increases the count (distribution count) which shows the number of distribution being connected with corresponding advertisement contents in the advertisement DB (step 309). Then, the advertisement distribution part 38 starts distributing advertisement contents (steps 310 and 311). Thus, on the screen of the display apparatus of the client machine 14, displayed is a window 802 which contains advertisement contents, on the normal window 801 which shows mid-flow of download. Here, it is preferable that the advertisement contents are displayed by so-called streaming reproduction in the window 802.

[0037]FIG. 4 is a flow chart which shows distribution of download contents and advertisement contents and normal termination. When the distribution of download contents is completed (step 401), a distribution completion flag is sent to the advertisement supply server 18 from the web server 16 (step 402). The advertisement supply server 18, when the distribution of the advertisement contents is completed (step 403), judges whether it received the distribution completion flag from the web server 16 (step 404). In case that it is judged to be NO at step 404, the routine is returned to step 309. Here, the same contents as the advertisement contents may be reproduced again or other contents may be selected and reproduced. For example, in case that capacity of a download file is large, reproduction of the advertisement contents is repeated until the time that the corresponding download is completed.

[0038] In the advertisement supply server 18, when it is judged that the distribution completion flag from the web server 16 is received (YES at step 404), an advertisement distribution completion flag is sent to the web server 16 (steps 405 and 406). The web server 16, in response to the reception of the advertisement distribution completion flag, sends a download completion message to the client machine 14 (step 407). Thus, as shown in FIG. 8B, on the screen of the display apparatus of the client machine 14, displayed is a window 805 which contains a message showing download completion (step 408). Thus, download is completed.

[0039] In contrast, hereinafter, processing in case of forced termination during download will be explained. FIG. 5 is a flow chart which shows processing that occurs due to forced termination of download. In the window 801 shown in FIG. 8A, for example, in case that a user operates the input apparatus to turn on a termination button (for example, see numeral 803) (step 501), a command of forced termination of download is sent to the web server 16 (step 502). In the web server 16, the command is supplied to the forced termination processing part 32 (step 503), and the forced termination processing part 32, in response to this, sends a forced termination flag of advertisement contents distribution to the advertisement supply server 18 (step 504), and it instructs cessation of distribution of download contents to the contents distribution part 28 (step 505). Thus, download in the client machine 14 is ceased (see, step 511).

[0040] Also in the advertisement supply server 18, when the forced termination flag is received (step 506), the forced termination processing part 42, in response to this, instructs cessation of distribution of advertisement contents to the advertisement distributing part 38 (step 507). Thus, reproduction of advertisement contents in the client machine 14 is ceased (see, step 512). Then, in accordance with the instruction of the forced termination processing part 42, the advertisement distributing part 38 decreases the distribution count which is connected with distributed advertisement contents (step 508). Then, a forced termination completion flag which shows completion of processing involving the forced termination is sent to the web server 16 (step 509).

[0041]FIG. 6 is a flow chart which shows processing that occur due to forced termination of advertisement distribution. For example, in the window 802 for reproduction of the advertisement contents shown in FIG. 8A when a user operates the input apparatus to turn on a termination button (see, numeral 804) (step 601), a forced termination command of advertisement contents distribution is sent to the advertisement supply server 18 (step 602). In the advertisement supply server 18, the command is supplied to the forced termination processing part 42 (step 603), and the forced termination processing part 32, in response to this, sends a forced termination flag of download to the web server 16 (step 604) and instructs distribution termination of advertisement contents to the advertisement distributing part 38.

[0042] In the web server 18, when the forced termination flag is received (step 605), the forced termination processing part 32, in response to this, instructs cessation of distribution of download contents to the contents distributing part 28 (step 606). Thus, download in the client machine 14 is ceased (see, step 611). The forced termination completion flag which shows completion of processing involving forced termination is sent to the advertisement supply server 18 (step 607).

[0043] Further, also in the advertisement supply server 18, the advertisement distributing part 38 ceases distribution of advertisement contents (step 608). Thus, reproduction of advertisement contents in the client machine is ceased (see, step 612). Further, in accordance with an instruction of the forced termination processing part 42, the advertisement distributing part 38 decreases distribution count which is connected with distributed advertisement contents (step 609).

[0044] Thus, in the embodiment, on the occasion of downloading contents such as motion pictures, still pictures and music, at the same time, advertisement is distributed and reproduced in the client machine. Advertisements are distributed until completion of download. Further, with respect to each distribution of advertisement contents, the count is increased so that it becomes possible to grasp correctly the number of distribution of advertisement.

[0045] Further, according to the embodiment, when distribution of advertisement contents is forcibly terminated during download, download is ceased herewith. Accordingly, a user who requests download of contents views advertisement contents at least during download. Thus, it becomes possible to surely present advertisement to users and to heighten effect of advertisement.

[0046] By using the distribution count, it becomes possible to optimize accounting to sponsors. That is, in case that download and reproduction of advertisement are forcibly terminated during reproduction of advertisement, this distribution is not included in the count so that it becomes possible to count only distribution which is reproduced properly to the end.

[0047] This invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment and various modifications may be possible within the scope of the invention described in claims, and it is needless to say that those modifications are covered by the scope of the invention.

[0048] In the embodiment, a plurality of linked addresses are designated by use of extension links of XML but the invention is not limited to this, and it may be structured that after a command is once supplied to the web server, necessary command in the web server is sent to the advertisement supply server and thereby, advertisement contents are distributed. FIG. 9 is a flow chart which shows a flow from download request from the client machine until start of contents distribution in such an example.

[0049] Here, step 900-step 904 correspond to steps 300-304 in FIG. 3, respectively. In this example, when a download start request is sent to the web server 16 (step 905), in the web server 16, carried out is a transfer processing for distributing advertisement contents to the client machine 14 which is requesting download (step 906), and an advertisement distribution request is sent to the advertisement supply server 18 to distribute advertisements to the client machine 14 (step 907). Processing after this (step 908-step 912) correspond to steps from step 307 to step 311 in FIG. 3, respectively. It is also possible to distribute advertisement contents in similar manner even by use of such method.

[0050] Further, in the foregoing embodiment, advertisement contents are reproduced during download of contents such as motion pictures, still pictures and music, but it is needless to say that contents to be downloaded are not limited to ones described above and documents may be used as such contents.

[0051] Further, in the foregoing embodiment, the web server 16 and the advertisement supply server 18 are connected to each other through the Internet 12, but the invention is not limited to this and these functions may be realized in a single server.

[0052] In addition, in this specification, a function of one means may be realized by more than two physical means or functions of more than two means may be realized by one physical means.

[0053] According to the invention, it is possible to present advertisements properly to users and to provide a data communication system which is attractive to sponsors and side administrators. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A distributing method for downloading contents to a client machine which is connected to a network, in a system in which a web server for downloading contents to a client machine of a user and an advertisement supply server for distributing advertisement contents are connected through the network, comprising: in the web server, a step of sending necessary related information including links for download with regard to the client machine, in accordance with a download request of the client machine; in the client machine, a step of requesting start of download, by use of a link which is contained in the related information; in the web sever, a step of distributing designated predetermined contents to the client machine, in response to the download start request; in the advertisement supply server, a step of distributing predetermined advertisement contents, in response to the download start request, in order to have them reproduced in the client machine; a step of terminating distribution of advertisement contents to the client machine, in response to an instruction of forced termination of advertisement contents distribution by the advertisement supply server, from the client machine and for sending a first forced termination flag which shows forced termination of distribution of the advertisement contents to the web server; and in the web server, a step of ceasing distribution of contents, in response to reception of the first forced termination flag.
 2. The distributing method according to claim 1, further comprising: in the web server, a step of terminating distribution of contents to the client machine, in response to an instruction of forced termination of contents distribution by the web server, from the client machine, and of sending a second forced termination flag which shows forced termination of distribution of the contents to the advertisement supply server; and in the advertisement supply server, a step of ceasing distribution of advertisement contents, in response to reception of the second forced termination flag.
 3. The distributing method according to claim 1, further comprising: in the advertisement supply server, a step of increasing a count value which shows the number of distribution of advertisement contents, on the occasion of distribution of corresponding advertisement contents; and a step of decreasing the count value, in response to reception of forced termination of distribution of the advertisement contents, or reception of the second forced termination flag.
 4. The distributing method according to claim 1, further comprising: in the web server, a step of sending a distribution completion flag which shows distribution completion of the contents to the advertisement supply server; in the advertisement supply server, a step of detecting accession of the distribution completion flag, when distribution of a certain advertisement contents is completed; and a step of sending the same or other advertisement contents to the client machine, in case that the distribution completion flag is not reached.
 5. The distributing method according to claim 1, wherein the step of sending the related information contains a step of sending information which designates a plurality of linked addresses, and the distributing method further comprises, in the client machine, a step of requesting start of download to the web server, and requesting distribution of advertisement contents to the advertisement supply server.
 6. The distributing method according to claim 1, comprising: in the web server, a step of requesting distribution of advertisement contents to the client machine, to the advertisement supply server, in response to the request of download start from the corresponding client machine.
 7. A distributing program for activating a web server, in order to download contents to a client machine which is connected to a network, in a system in which a web server for downloading contents to the client machine of a user and an advertisement supply server for distributing advertisement contents are connected through the network, wherein the distributing program has the web server executed, a step of sending necessary related information including links for download with regard to the client machine, in accordance with a download request of the client machine; a step of receiving a request of download start by use of a link which is contained in the related information, from the client machine; a step of sending designated predetermined contents to the client machine, in response to the request of download start; and a step of ceasing distribution of contents, in response to reception of a first forced termination flag, in case that the advertisement supply server receives the first forced termination flag which shows forced termination of the advertisement contents, responding to an instruction of forced termination of distribution of advertisement contents from the client machine, in the advertisement supply server which distributes advertisement contents to the client machine with sending contents by the web server.
 8. The distributing program according to claim 7, wherein the distributing program has the web server further executed, a step of terminating distribution of contents to the client machine, in response to an instruction of forced termination of distribution of contents by the web server, from the client machine and sending a second forced termination flag which shows forced termination of distribution of the contents, to the advertisement supply server. 